Vibratory electric shaver



April 1, 1958 s. P. WINTHER VIBRATORY ELECTRIC SHAVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 13, 1956 Simon P. Winrher INVENTOR. Q0611.

April 1, 1958 s. P. WINTHER 2,828,539

VIBRATORY ELECTRIC SHAVER Filed Jan. 13, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

Sim oh P. Win/her I N V EN TOR.

WW 3M? P. WINTHER VIBRATORY ELECTRIC SHAVER April 1, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet'3 Filed Jan. 13, 1956 Simon P. Win/her INVENTOR.

BY ZMMMW vnsRAronY nrrzcrarc SHAVER Simon P. Winther, Chicago, Ill.,assignor of forty percent to Leslie Krueger, Chicago, iii.

Application January 13, 1956, Serial No. 558,895

Claims. (Cl. 30-43) vibrations in shavers, therefore, a longer lastingand more comfortably usable shaver results.

A futher object of the invention is to provide an electric shaver havingan appearance quite similar to my prior Patents 2,700,816 and 2,726,445,but being structurally improved by the utilization of a much simplerdesign of all parts in the drive chain between the motor and cutter andby im roving the cutter and blades which form a part thereof.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a haver f the typewhich has a motor driven, oscillating lads holder, with a one-pieceelongated spring that is carried in slots in the holder by locating aportion of the spring intermediate the ends thereof in the slots, andwhich has its ends disposed in spaced holes formed in the blade, theelasticity of the spring and its shape being such that the blade ispressed lightly against the inner surface of the forarninous wall of theelectric shaver.

One of the important features of the invention is the means forattaching the forarninous wall and supporting frame of the fcraminouswall to the electric shaver casing, these means being a spring togetherwith buttons separating tabs at the ends of the spring gement with theforaminous wall and its supporting frame.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l' is a perspective view of the electric shaver;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the shaver andparticularly a cutter and drive mechanism for the cutter;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure principallyshown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line of Figure 3;

5 is a perspective view of the cover for the foraminous wall of theshaver;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the means for attaching theforaminous wall and foraminous wall supporting frame to the shavercasing;

Figure 7 is a frag entary perspective view showing the attachment of oneof the blades to the blade holder;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing theattachment of the foraminous wall to the casing and the means forholding the foraminous wall in place thereon;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the casing and motor in thecasing;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing a slightmodification of the cutter wherein there are three blades instead'of thetwo illustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 11, is a transverse sectional view of a further modification ofthe cutter utilizing only one blade.

In Figure 9 the general organization of casing 12 for the electricshaver it is illustrated. Casing 12 is made of an upper and, lower part14 and 16 respectively, these parts being of a configuration verysimilar to the casings for the shaver described in my referencedpatents. The upper part it, of casing 12 has apertures in which toaccommodate the screws 1.7, the latter passing into tapped holes in thecasing is of motor 2t). The lower part in of the casing hassimilar-apertures to accommodate screws 21, these screws being fastenedtothe motor casing 13 whereby the casing is held assembled. Socket 2d islocatedat one end of'the'casing i2 and it accommodates the plug 26 onthe end of an electrical conductor 23. Plug 26 makes contact with theprongs 30, the latter being in electrical conductivity arrangement withthe working parts of themotor as is known in the electrical motor art.

The forward end 32. of the casing 12 is tapered, and there is an opening34 {Figure 6) in this forward end. The opening has a recess 35 extendingaround it in which frame 38- is disposed. Although it is preferred thatthe casing 12 be-of plastic material, any other material that issuitable for the purpose may be used.

Frame 38 is curved in cross section along the top there of'and hasapproximately straightsides wand 52 (Figure'4), the lower edges of whichbeing returned to form generally U-shaped or rolled edges 44 and 4.6which seat in the previously mentioned recess 36. The top of frame 38consists of a plurality of ribs 48 which extendfrom sides 40-and 42.

A thin forarninous wall 5th is located on the frame 38 and has the edgesthereof fixed within theU-shaped-or rolled edges 44 and 46 of frame 38.The foraminous wall has the same shape as the frame. It has a pluralityof groups 52 of perforations in which diagonal clipper slots 54 areformed. Bands 56 of imperforate material separate the perforatedsections, and these bands are adapted to overlie ribs 48.

When the foraminous wall and frame 33 are placed as a unit over openingsi, they are held in place by a resilient fastener assembly (Figure 6).The fastener assembly consists of a curved spring plate or strip 64having a pair of tabs and as at one end and a pair of tabs 63 and 64 atthe opposite end. The cross sectional curvature of tne plate 6h is suchas to conform to the inner cross sectional curvature of the fronttapered part 32 of the casing 22, whereon it is located. It is held inplace by a plurality of projections 66 which rise from theinner'surfacethe tapered part 32 of casingiZ and which passthrough apertures-68 inplate at Finger'operated buttons 70 and 72 have enlarged ends which bearagainst spaced portions of the spring 60 near the tabs at'the endsthereof. The shanks of the buttons are passed through apertures 74 andIn in the tapered portion 32 of the casing Each of the apertures 74 and76 arev countersunkasat 78 (Figure 8) to prevent inadvertent actuationof the buttons and also to present a smoothererternal appearance andtouch to the user of the electric shaver. There are two openings 80 andin theU-shaped or rolled'edge 44 offrame 38 and on foraminous wall 5%}.Similar openings 82 are formed in the opposite side of this sameassembly. The pairs of tabs 61, 62 and 63, 64 are normally located 111these openings in order to hold the frame 38 and foraminous wallassembled on the casing 50. The inherent elasticity of the spring plateretains these tabs in the openings. However, when it is desired toremove the frame 38 together with the foraminous wall 50, it isnecessary only to depress one or both of the buttons and 72 and lift theforaminous wall and frame therefrom.

A blade holder 86 is disposed in the tapered portion 32 of casing 12.This blade holder comprises a lightweight fiat plate 90 having a pair oflateral protections or extensions 92 and 94 at one end thereof andsimilar projections 95 and 96 at the opposite end thereof. Upstandingplates 98 and 99 are at the rear edges of the lateral extensions 92 and94, while upstanding plates 100 and 102 are at the front edges of thelateral extensions 95 and 96. A generally U-shaped support 104 has sides106' and 108 at right angles to its connecting member 11%, the latterextending as a lateral projection of one edge of the main plate 90. Anidentical U-shaped member 112 is on the opposite edge of the plate 90.It has a connecting member 114 at the ends of which right angular sides116 and 118 are located.

Blades 120 and 122 are fitted in aligned slots 123, 124, 125 and 126which are in the U-shaped member 114 and plates 99 and 192 and also inthe aligned slots 128, 129, 139 and 132 which are on the correspondingoppositely disposed parts of the blade holder 86. In order that theblades 120 and 122 will be interlocked, they have respectively slots 134and 136 in their lower edges which interfit over the previouslymentioned sets of slots. The upper edges of blades 120 and 122 have setsof slots 138 and slots 140 respectively therein, the latter slots beingdimensioned to snugly accommodate the ribs 48 when the blades areoperatively disposed in the shaver as shown in Figure 3.

Improved means for yieldingly pressing with a gentle force the blades120 and 122 against the inner surface of foraminous Wall 50 areoperatively connected to the blades. These means are identical inconstruction and consist of spring 146 for the blade 120 and spring 148for the blade 122. The spring 146 is elongated having approximatelyright angular ends 150 and 152 which are fitted in apertures 154 and 156in the blade 120. The intermediate part of the spring 146 has acurvature 158 in it. The curvature of the spring 148 fits beneath thecross member 114 of the U-shaped lateral projection on plate 90 Whilethe end parts thereof fit in keyhole slots 159 and 169. The portions ofthe spring between the curvature 158 and the right angular ends 150 and152 seat in the slots 164 and 166 that are formed in the sides 116 and118. The non-deflected shape of the spring 146 is such that whenassembled as described and shown in Figures 3 and 7, a gentle force isapplied to the blade 120 tending to press the blade with its cuttingedge against the inner surface of foraminous wall 50. The spring 148 isidentical in both function and construction to the spring 146. As shownin Figures 10 and 11 blade holder 170 may be substituted for bladeholder 86, the blade holder 170 having blades 171, 172 and 173 carriedthereby. These blades show that there may be more than two used in thecutter. In addition Figure 11 shows the blade holder 174 that isprovided with a single blade 175. blade is utilized, the holders 170 and174 being altered to the extent necessary to include one or more of theblades.

In Figures 24 the drive connection between the shaft of motor 20 and theblade holder 86 is shown. Motor casing 18 has a tapped hole 182 in whichthe threaded end 183 of spindle 184 is attached. Collar 185 on the innerend of the spindle 184 functions as a thrust bear- This is a furthermodification where only one ing for the collar 188 on sleeve 190. Thissleeve is fitted over the spindle 184 and has a reduced end 192 on whichthere is arm 196. Arm 196 has a collar 197 which is pressed on orotherwise fixed to the reduced end 192. Yoke 194 has an aperture 2%through which the sleeve 19!) is passed, coming to bear against collar188, the yoke 194 being welded, soldered, pressed on or in some wayfixed to sleeve 190. Washer 202 is slipped over the end of spindle 184,and clip 204 is fitted in peripheral groove 206 formed at the end of thespindle 184. This clip holds the washer arm 196, and sleeve assembled onthe spindle 184.

Arm 196 is riveted or otherwise fixed to the plate 90 of holder 86 nearthe outer end thereof. Yoke 194 is formed of a lightweight plate havinga longitudinal slot 2% extending radially from aperture 200. Lugs 210and 212 are formed at the outer end of the plate which forms the yokedrive, these lugs being fitted in notches 214 and 216 of plate 90 inorder to establish a drive connection between the yoke 194 and plate 90.An insert 218 of hardened material, for example Teflon or hardenedsteel, or chromium plated metal, is pressed into the slot 208. Crank pin222 at the end of crank arm 224, is disposed in the insert of slot 208.The crank arm is fixed, as by being pressed, onto the shaft 180 of themotor. Counterbalance 226 is on the crank arm 224, and a counterbalanceor counterweight 228 is on the yoke 194. By proper selection of the massof these counter- Weights 226 and 228, upon actuation of the cutter thevibrations associated with the rapid accelerations of such a structure,are materially reduced.

A cover 232 of a shape similar to the shape of the foraminous wall 50,is adapted to be fitted over the foraminous cover when the shaver is notin use. The cover has indentations 234 therein, these indentations beingfitted in similar indentations 236 that are formed in the taperedportion 32 of the casing 12. The inherent resiliency of the cover 232holds it in place on the casing 12.

Lower ventilation openings 240 are formed in the tapered front portion32 of the shaver casing 12 so that there will be a free how of air forthe shaver 10. In use, the motor is energized by the customary procedureof plugging in the razor and actuating a switch (not shown).Energization of the motor causes rotation of shaft 180 which is impartedto oscillatory movement of the yoke 194 through the crank pin, crank armand associated structure. This oscillation is transferred to the cutter86 by the structure previously described. The springs 146 and 148 holdthe cutter blades pressed firstly against the inner surface of theforaminous wall 50 in order that the cutting operations may besucessfully performed.

When it is desired to remove the foraminous wall, its support 38 isremoved with it. This is accomplished by depressing the buttons 7% and72, these buttons removing the tabs from the previously describedopenings in the U-shaped or rolled edges 44 and 4-6. Then the foraminoussupport and its frame are removed as a unit.

Inspection and cleaning of the interior of the shaver is accomplished inthis way.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes wilireadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In an electric shaver which includes a casing liavingly connectingsaid yoke to said blade holder so that upon oscillation of said yokesaid blade holder is correspondingly oscillated, an arm secured to saidblade holder and mounted on said spindle for cooperating with said yokein supporting said blade holder, a tapered foraminous wall over saidopening in said casing, a frame supporting and secured to said wall,means releasably fastening said frame and said wall on said casing, saidfastening means including a spring having tabs, said frame havingapertures in which said tabs are fitted, and means carried by saidcasing and operatively connected with said spring for separating saidtabs from said apertures so that said frame and said foraminous wall maybe separated from said casing.

2. An electric shaver comprising a casing having an opening adjacent toone end thereof, a tapered foraminous wall, a supporting frame havingribs covering said opening, said foraminous Wall supported on said ribsand overlying said opening, means releasably fastening said frame andsaid wall to said casing, a motor disposed in said casing and having amotor shaft, 21 blade holder, means connected to said shaft and to saidblade holder for oscillating said holder, a blade having a cutting edgeslidably disposed close to the inner surface of said foraminous wall,means in said blade and said blade holder for supporting said blade onsaid blade holder, an elongate spring carried by said holder and securedat its ends to spaced parts of said blade for yieldingly basing saidblade so that said blade edge is held pressed lightly against saidforaminous wall, said holder comprising an essentially flat plate havinga pair of lateral projections at one end thereof and a second pair oflateral projections near the opposite end thereof, the projections ofsaid second pair of lateral projections being closer together than theprojections of the first mentioned pair of lateral projections,upstanding members on each of said projections and having outwardlyopening slots, a second blade, and the first mentioned and said secondblades disposed in said slots of said members that are carried by saidlateral projections.

3. The electric shaver of claim 2 wherein each blade has a pair ofspaced apertures, said elongate spring located in the apertures of oneof said blades, a second elongate spring in the apertures in the otherof said blades, and means connected to said essentially flat plate forsecuring said springs to said plate intermediate the ends of saidsprings.

4. The electric shaver of claim 2 wherein said holder oscillating meansincludes a yoke having lugs at one end thereof, said blade holderincluding a plate that has notches therein, said lugs fitted in saidnotches thereby establishing a drive connection between said yoke andsaid plate, and an arm on said shaft and connected to said plate at alocation remote from said notches of said plate for partially supportingsaid plate.

5. An electric shaver comprising a casing having an opening adjacent toone end thereof, a tapered foraminous wall, a supporting frame havingribs covering said opening, said foraminous wall supported on said ribs,means releasably fastening said frame and said wall to said casing, amotor disposed in said casing and having a motor shaft, a blade holder,means connected to said shaft and said holder for oscillating saidholder, a blade having a cutting edge slidably disposed close to theinner surface of said foraminous wall, means in said blade and saidblade holder for supporting said blade on said holder, said blade holdercomprising a plurality of spaced upstanding plates angularly disposed tothe longitudinal axis of said blade holder, a plurality of slots in eachblade, the slots being in divergent alignment so that the bladesreceived thereby will diverge from one end of the blade holder to theother to correspond to the other and to correspond to the angle of thetapered foraminous wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,234,891 Bruecker Mar. 11, 1941 2,238,278 Moskovics et al. Apr. 15,1941 2,321,932 Nyhagen June 15, 1943 2,387,756 Henningsen Oct. 30, 19452,726,445 Winther Dec. 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,088,648 France Sept.15, 1954

